{"id":2650798,"date":"2026-08-27T21:38:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T01:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-hegseth-rights-another-biden-wrong-upgrades-abbey-gate-heroes-awards-after-previous-admin-wrongly-downgraded-them\/"},"modified":"2026-08-27T21:46:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T01:46:45","slug":"watch-hegseth-rights-another-biden-wrong-upgrades-abbey-gate-heroes-awards-after-previous-admin-wrongly-downgraded-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-hegseth-rights-another-biden-wrong-upgrades-abbey-gate-heroes-awards-after-previous-admin-wrongly-downgraded-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Watch: Hegseth Rights Another Biden Wrong &#8211; Upgrades Abbey Gate Heroes&#8217; Awards After Previous Admin Wrongly Downgraded Them"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">36<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwatch-hegseth-rights-another-biden-wrong-upgrades-abbey-gate-heroes-awards-after-previous-admin-wrongly-downgraded-them%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2650798&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Teh article discusses an event where secretary of War Pete Hegseth publicly honored three U.S. Marines-Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Eby, Lance Cpl. jordan Houston, and Cpl. Michael Gretzon-for their heroism at Abbey Gate in Kabul during the Taliban attack in August 2021. These soldiers had their valor awards previously downgraded by Pentagon officials during the Biden administration, possibly to obscure the true nature of their actions amid the controversial Afghanistan withdrawal. <\/p>\n<p>Hegseth upgraded their awards to reflect their bravery, specifically awarding them medals recognizing acts of heroism under fire. The ceremony highlighted their courageous efforts, such as staying at their posts under danger, evacuating wounded, and risking their lives to protect fellow Marines. The event was portrayed as a stand against bureaucratic bias and a return to honoring genuine combat virtues like courage and loyalty, contrasting with what is described as the &#8220;wokeness&#8221; of the previous administration. The article emphasizes that these acts of heroism are now properly recognized and celebrated as exemplars of American military valor.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gave honor where honor was due to three soldiers who acted heroically following the suicide bombing attacks at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August 2021.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/hegseth-upgrades-abbey-gate-marines-valor-awards-after-5-year-delay-those-days-are-over\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fox News<\/a> reported that the Pentagon brass downgraded the original award submissions, as the Biden administration sought to quickly put the Afghanistan pullout disaster in the rear-view mirror.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor half a decade, this building allowed bureaucratic caution, or maybe politics, to stand in the way of proper recognition,\u201d Hegseth said on Wednesday, the fifth anniversary of the Abbey Gate attack. \u201cToday, on this milestone anniversary, we declare that those days are over.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor too long, leadership in this capital city failed to match that frontline courage with administrative backbone, inappropriately downgrading the original award submissions that these men rightfully deserved,\u201d Hegseth <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZYIo8I1ny1s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBy upgrading these awards, we are stating clearly that America\u2019s warriors will be fiercely supported and our military\u2019s lethal edge will not be compromised by deskbound bureaucracy or lawyers in the cheap seats,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/pete-hegseth-institutes-mandatory-testosterone-testing-certain-troops\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hegseth<\/a> presented upgraded Bronze Star Medals with \u201cV\u201d devices for valor to Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Eby and Lance Cpl. Jordan Houston. Cpl. Michael Gretzon received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a \u201cV\u201d device for valor.<\/p>\n<p>The \u201cV\u201d device is used to recognize specific acts of heroism versus more general meritorious service in combat.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\ud83d\udea8 JUST IN: In a truly incredible moment, SecWar Pete Hegseth just PERSONALLY gave upgraded valor awards to US Marines who were DOWNGRADED by the Biden admin after they ran into danger in the 2021 Abbey Gate bombings<\/p>\n<p>Biden tried HIDING his failure by throwing THEM under the bus.\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/rr36r3AEas\">pic.twitter.com\/rr36r3AEas<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/EricLDaugh\/status\/2092708811748577431?\">August 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/trump-responds-reports-dwindling-u-s-weapons-stockpiles-promises-long-term-jail-sentences\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sean Parnell<\/a>, who chairs the Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel, which is examining the Abbey Gate attack and the overall Afghanistan withdrawal, posted video from Wednesday\u2019s ceremony with the men receiving their upgraded awards.<\/p>\n<p>Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/hegseth-upgrades-abbey-gate-marines-valor-awards-after-5-year-delay-those-days-are-over\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">recounted<\/a> at Wednesday\u2019s ceremony that Eby, as soon as he regained his footing following the bomb blast that killed or wounded half his platoon, took command and rallied his remaining Marines to establish security and evacuate the wounded.<\/p>\n<p>Houston, who was briefly knocked unconscious by the blast and was wounded by shrapnel, stayed at his post to provide cover for his fellow Marines and lifesaving medical treatment.<\/p>\n<p>And Gretzon was hit by shrapnel, which wounded his arm so severely that he applied his own tourniquet to stop the bleeding. After being bandaged up by medical personnel, he returned to his squad to help in the recovery effort until his platoon sergeant ordered him to the casualty collection point.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Today, we recognized three Marines for their heroism at Abbey Gate five years ago.<\/p>\n<p>Gunnery Sergeant Jonathan Eby, Corporal Michael Gretzon, and Lance Corporal Jordan Houston went above and beyond for their fellow Marines.<\/p>\n<p>Their records did not properly reflect their heroism.\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/48k7VAlCVD\">pic.twitter.com\/48k7VAlCVD<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SeanParnellASW\/status\/2092782683285786728?\">August 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Hegseth <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZYIo8I1ny1s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said<\/a> of the three men, \u201cRather than seeking cover, they stepped forward to secure the perimeter. They kept their fellow Marines focused and pulled the wounded to safety. Under direct fire, they risked their lives to protect their brothers and complete the evacuation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMarines, on this fifth anniversary, your valor is now officially, permanently, and properly recognized,\u201d he added. \u201cYou represent the very heart of peace through strength.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>How refreshing to have leadership at the War Department that honors true combat virtues like courage, loyalty, and honor.<\/p>\n<p>Thankfully, it\u2019s a far cry from the Biden years, when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/bidens-woke-executive-orders-reshaped-militarys-defense-priorities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">wokeness reigned supreme<\/a> in the halls of the Pentagon.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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Fox News reported that the Pentagon downgraded their awards, as the Biden admin aimed to quickly move past Afghanistan&#8217;s withdrawal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2650799,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hegseth-Abbey-Gate-Awards.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[39291,36155,84789,32320,5894],"class_list":["post-2650798","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-abbey-gate","tag-government-accountability","tag-hero-awards","tag-joe-biden","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hegseth-Abbey-Gate-Awards.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2650798","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2650798"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2650798\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2650801,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2650798\/revisions\/2650801"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2650799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2650798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2650798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2650798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}